1998:024 - BALLYCASEY MORE, Clare

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Clare Site name: BALLYCASEY MORE

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 51:176 Licence number: 98E0517

Author: Paul Stevens, for Margaret Gown & Co. Ltd.

Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous

Period/Dating: Multi-period

ITM: E 542362m, N 663442m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.719014, -8.853131

Test-trenching and a control survey were conducted in September and November 1998 in advance of sale of the land for development. The site is an extensive complex of rectilinear, linear and mound earthworks, covering an area of 540m x 232m. A comprehensive programme of excavation of twelve test-trenches was undertaken to identify the nature and morphology of all earthwork features.

This produced evidence of at least one burnt mound, as well as a substantial concentration of post-medieval activity. The burnt mound was situated in a later, undated, square enclosure close to an area of fen and was just outside the development area. The remaining earthworks were revealed to be of post-medieval origin, including field banks, field systems, a roadway and possible house-possibly a seasonal booleying camp-dating to the 18th century. Kenneth Hanley (Excavations 1996, 9, 95E133) excavated a similar complex close to this site at Latoon South. The site was substantially ploughed in recent times, with recent quarrying activity noted in two areas, undertaken some time after the 1950s.

Further archaeological wetland survey, archaeological monitoring of dry-land areas and preservation or full excavation of the burnt mound was recommended.

2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin